A French pianist, conductor, teacher, and composer. Born in Mazamet (South of France), on October 24th 1916. First studied at Meknès Colledge of Music in Morocco, then continued to study at Toulouse Conservatory, and finally studied at Paris Conservatory with Ives Nat (piano), Jean Gallon (Fugue), Henri Busser (Composition), Jean Estyle (Counterpoint) Charles Münch and Roger Désormière (conducting) and obtained the awards of 1'st place in 5 classes (piano, accompaniment, harmony, composition and fugue). He won the Prix de Rome competition in 1943 with his cantata 'la légende d'Icare (the legend of Icaros)' and was appointed as a professor (piano class) of Paris Concervatory from 1956 to 1985. Although his fame is largely owing to his carrer as a pianist and a professor, he wrote many compositions including 3 ballets, 1 opera and some symphony. His pupils include J.P.Collard, M.Beroff, J.C.Pommier, Jean-François Antonioli, Alain Lefèvre, J.Rouvier as well as jazz pianist Christian Jacob. His style is based on French modernist school and has written in impressionistic manner with a flavor of contemporary compositional technique. Although his compositions are highly sophisticated, most of them (except 'sonatine' for flute) have been totally ignored and are still awaiting rediscovery. He died in Paris on 20th October, 2008.